Automate it

If you find cash inconvenient, there's another way to stop yourself overspending.

"Having a separate savings account works very well," says Ms Metz.

"As soon as you get paid, you put a percentage into that account and it stays out of bounds."

It's easy to set up through online banking under 'automatic transfer'.

If you can't trust yourself to dip in to that account, you could put it in a short-term deposit. But make sure you're getting a good rate of interest because it will cost you to break the contract if you have an emergency.

Try the $5 challenge

If you're using cash, the $5 challenge is a way to try to save with minimal inconvenience.

Stop and think before you buy

Every time you put something in the supermarket trolley or the online cart, take 10 seconds to really analyse it. Do you really need it? Is this really the best time to buy this? Is it good value?

If you can't answer yes, don't fool yourself, and put it back.

And for bigger items, sleep on it.

"If you have tried on that beautiful pair of shoes or gone for a spin in a car, don't buy it immediately. Try to discipline yourself to say, 'I'll sleep on it and we'll see what happens tomorrow'. The impulse is often gone by the next day," says Ms Metz.